Methionine transamination--metabolic function and subcellular compartmentation.

Enzymatic activities catalysing the inter-conversion of L-methionine and its oxy analogue 4-methylthio-2-oxobutyric acid (2,4-KMB) were detected in the liver, skeletal muscle and heart of the laboratory rat and of sheep. In both species the highest activity of methionine transamination was found in the liver and was located in the cytoplasm and mitochondria. We propose that physiological and nutritional role of the cytoplasmic methionine transamination is amination of 2,4 KMB and formation of L-methionine while in mitochondria the activity is responsible for disposal of excess methionine is oxidised through oxidative decarboxylation of 2,4 KMB.